How is torvald trapped by social expectations in A Doll's House by Henrik Ibsen?

Answer 1

Torvald has been raised in the same social culture that Nora was, so it’s expected he would act much the same as other men who were role models for him. He would have learned that, as a man, he would be responsible for supporting a wife and family financially. He would expect that his wife would meet his physical and emotional needs, as well as take care of his household and children. He would expect obedience. He would believe that no matter what, his wife should “stand by” him. The roles for men and women during Victorian times were fairly well prescribed. Women acted certain ways and men acted in other ways. Double standards were common because men were the more powerful, thinking themselves as being in control and more privileged. Women were viewed as not much more than property, in many cases, but with other social, economic and political influences, these attitudes for both men’s and women’s roles began to change slowly.